Cometary particle impact simulation using pulsed lasers

Calibration of the DIDSY experiment momentum sensors for the GIOTTO Mission to Comet Halley requires laboratory simulation of impacts at 68 km s^?1 for particle mass values in the range 10^?6 g to 10^?10 g. Existing techniques for particle acceleration cannot simultaneously attain these extreme values of velocity and particle mass, making it necessary to adopt some less direct method of impact simulation. This paper considers the application of high power pulsed lasers for laboratory simulation of the momentum impulse produced by a cometary dust particle impact on the GIOTTO spacecraft.